Thankful Thursday | officially a staff nurse
This week, I am thankful:
that my badge says "staff nurse" now
If you haven't passed your NCLEX before you start your nursing job, your badge is printed with "nursing graduate", not "staff nurse".
And even though I'd passed my NCLEX before I started, my badge showed up with "nursing graduate" on it.
I'd tried to get it fixed several times before, but somehow it never got reprinted.
But now I have a badge in hand that says Staff Nurse. Yay!!
I dislike having "nursing graduate" on the badge because I feel like it announces that I'm a new grad. And yes, it's true that I am, but I prefer not to lead with that when I'm taking care of patients. 😉
for more and more spring buds
I'm seeing new signs of spring whenever I go for walks now. I love watching how seasons change on my walks!
that I was able to get my grade fixed
My professor marked me down on a discussion board assignment because she said I hadn't included enough references.
I was like, "Nuts! How did I miss that?" so I scrolled back and discovered that I actually had included the correct number.
I messaged her, and she restored my points. 🙂 Apparently, she just hadn't scrolled down far enough on the page to see them all.
that we did not get hit by a bad storm
Earlier this week, we heard that a bad storm was coming our way, with an unusually high threat of tornadoes.
But thankfully, it ended up being a whimper of a storm, and we were all fine. Whew!
that I don't have to keep up this pace forever
Between full-time nursing, BSN classes, blogging, and just regular life management (laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, etc.), I feel like I am almost always working in some or another.
While I like the work I do, my current work-life balance is...not quite ideal. Ha.
But, this is temporary. And it really helps to remember that!
for the privilege of doing all of the things I do
Yes, I'm a little tired, but I was thinking last week what a blessing it is to be where I am in life, especially because at one point, I wasn't sure I was even going to get to have a nursing degree!
It is a privilege to be tired from working in a field I feel called to.
It's a privilege to have sore muscles from working out at the gym; not everyone is healthy enough to do that.
It is a privilege to be busy getting a degree, one that I am not even paying for!
What I am feeling is generally a good kind of busy and tired, and that's something to be grateful for.
This week I am thankful:
* that spring break is next week. The first couple of weeks of March were a bit too full, so I'm looking forward to regrouping next week before heading into April and Maycember.
* for the fun that today will bring. Today is my 40th birthday! My feelings are a little mixed about it (I really loved a lot of my 30's and 40 feels a little weird at the moment), but I know that my family and co-workers are going to help today be really fun.
* that my Wednesday morning volunteer gig was so full of kids yesterday. Our numbers had been low and kind of discouraging for a few weeks, but we were almost full yesterday! I love being around those kids and my heart was full to see so many of them there.
* for the kind words of a couple of friends as I headed into today. Words of affirmation is probably one of my stronger love languages because I just treasure those cards and text messages of kindness.
* that my middle schooler wants me to chaperone her upcoming field trip to Cedar Point - and that I actually enjoy roller coasters, so I want to go! Middle school is hard and I'm thankful that she isn't pushing me away in the midst of it, but that we can talk and she's willing to have me be with her and a group of peers on a fun day.
Happy Birthday, Ruth!
Happy happy birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Ruth! I hope you have a wonderful day and an even more wonderful decade ahead of you!
Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day. (And a wonderful Spring Break, yay!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And welcome to the 40s (although I will exit them in two years, so we will share this decade only briefly. Ha.)
Happy, happy day, Ruth T! Way back when I was a teacher, I was able to go with a special group of students as a chaperone to an amusement park. I was surprised by how much fun I had. I hope the weather is perfect for that day.
Happiest of birthdays to you! May your 40's be your best era yet!
Happy birthday, Ruth! I hope you have a wonderful day 🙂
Happy 40th, Ruth! And my 40s were actually a pretty good decade. It's my 70s I'm having some trouble adjusting to.
I’m having great difficulty with being in my 70’s also. Plus no longer coloring my hair and embracing my grays is really knocking me for a loop!
I have always had mid brown, soft , superfine, straight floppy hair, to the extent that hair clips, combs etc just slide out. At 77 my hair is a lovely pale ash blonde, has a wave and body, and is almost normal thickness.! The wave, body and lift has happened since my daughter died last year, and I’m wondering if the change is trauma related. My hair dresser and all my friends have commented on it, I’m baffled, but loving having “ good hair “ days, for the first time in my life!
I am so sorry for your loss.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Ruth! I hope it's a day full of love and joy.
Happiest Birthday, Ruth! Hope your day is even more delightful than you had expected. Wishing you all the joy!
happy birthday!!! so much more life to be lived and enjoyed ahead for you. yay
Happy 40th birthday! my 40's were pretty fun. I hope you experience the same. I am leaving the 40's in a few short months and I don't know if I'm ready for that....
Many happy returns of your special day!
Hope you have a great day today and fun on your daughter's trip. Even
at 72 roller coasters are still a favorite!
Happy birthday Ruth. Sounds like you have great life balance with family and volunteer opportunities.
Happy birthday!!!
You are the same age as my eldest daughter. Congratulations making another trip around the sun! Your wisdom shines, your youthful Adventures and grace to embrace it all.
Happy Birthday, Ruth! I found the 40's to be fabulous, and the 50's are even better!
Enjoy Cedar Point! I'm originally from Michigan and we used to go there every summer. They have the best roller coasters!
Happy birthday, Ruth! I hope you enjoy your 40s. 40 is the new 20, right? 🙂
Plus, I've lived in Ohio for (mumble mumble) 45+ years, and I've never been to Cedar Point! I live at the opposite end of Ohio, but still! at 64, I still love roller coasters. 🙂
I worked in Sandusky, OH, for 3 1/2 years, and never made it to Cedar Point (but I went all the time when I was a kid). Funny how things seem less appealing when they are in your back yard, so to speak.
Anyway, enjoy your birthday! I greatly enjoyed my 40s (but then again, I enjoyed my 50s, and my 60s are going fine, so far, too). You are old enough to have accumulated some wisdom, and young enough to be able to do lots of things. 🙂
Ruth, happy 40th! May your best years be ahead of you.
Happy Birthday Ruth! I turn 40 on Sunday, and like you still dont know how I feel about it 🙂 Best wishes!
Ooh! I hope your birthday is fun, Vivian! 40 is going to be great, right? Right. 😉
Thank you, all! I appreciate the kindness of the FG community!
Congrats again on becoming an official nurse!
Thankfuls:
1. I got sick this week. I'm not thankful for that but I'm thankful I could take a couple of days off work.
2. I'm thankful I slept so well last night which will help my body recover.
3. Kind compliments. Someone I work with said I'm 'calm, composed and always so kind' and someone else said I'm super creative and he really admires how much I put myself out there!
4. That we have such a wealth of media at our fingertips. I rewatched White Oleander which I hadn't seen in over fifteen years the other night. I first saw it as a teenager, as it was one of the limited options in our video rental shop (which, in another sense, makes me thankful that I didn't have endless options to choose from), and it left such an impression on me. It made (and makes) me thankful for a stable home environment and I am thankful that I saw it at a young age; it's a dark film but it makes you think about the nature of love and loyalty. I'm going to reread the book soon.
5. I'm thankful for the colourful bursts of flowers appearing everywhere!
The book, White Oleander,was so good. As I remember, the movie was fairly true to the book.
I remember they cut parts of the book out. I haven't read it in years so my memory is hazy, but I know there was a whole section with a group home (not the one in the film). I saw there was some criticism over that because it was the section with people who were from different backgrounds and race. It's still a great film apart from that.
Whenever I see "work hard, play hard" on people's profiles, I always wonder if they combine that with the mundane chores around the house, or if someone does that for them. For those who juggle work at home/ work from home / [support to friends/family/neighbours], a few blanks in the agenda are a blessing.
This week I am thankful for having resumed outdoor swimming and catching up with my swim buddies. And very thankful for the pictures my husband and kids took of them all jointly, and seperately, that I had been asking for for quite a long time. I will get a few of them in print for my gallery of loved ones. I only had 10 year old portraits as they kept declining the honour of having their pictures taken.
On a very different level I am thankful that my refurbished work pc was just delivered. My previous very new one was having issues. I will set up the new to me one and see how I am faring with that.
I am thankful that I am retired. I retired last year, and SO thankful I am able to retire financially. I count my blessings that I can drink my coffee in the morning in my easy chair and not have to rush off to a job. My time is now my own.
Mary, I am so looking forward to that day. It's not too far off for me...
Omg, good for you! I will be retired for 10 years in a few months and I have loved it from day 1!
Enjoy your retirement! I'm looking forward to my time being my own in a couple more years.
A year and 5 months until I retire. Can't wait.
9-ish months left for me before I retire! I can't wait. Just being able to have a nice, relaxing morning coffee *every day* sounds amazing.
I’m with you on that! I’m 77, worked until 70, and LOVING retirement! I’m very fortunate, I live in a small, but perfect, one bedroom unit( solo) in an inner city ,vertical retirement village, in glorious sub tropical Brisbane Australia. As a senior ,all off peak public transport is free, our public transport( any combination,buses, trains, ferries) is 50 Aus cents for 2 hours, for everyone, and we have universal health care, so living on the equivalent of your SSI isn’t problematic for me! Happy to answer any and all questions Australian, if anyone has any queries.
Thankfuls:
--For the daffodils I cut to put on the table before our two nights of hard freeze. And that the daffodils outside that had buds didn't get damaged. Only the open flowers were a concern, but they were already on my table.
--That it looks like at least the peaches made it through the freeze. They were only budded, not open, so most of them are okay. The apricots are pretty much done for, boo, but if we can make it the next month or so without another hard freeze like that, we should at least get peaches.
--That the anniversary of a difficult event made me realize how much things have improved since then. I am so grateful to not be in that situation anymore.
--For several books to read at the moment. My reading material waxes and wanes, but I've been doing pretty well lately. I once was gifted an insulated mug from our school principal that she got because it made her think of me. It was printed with the (humorous) definition of "abibliophobia: the fear of running out of books to read." It was a joke, but kind of not really. 🙂
--Relatedly, that all of my children are firmly in reader territory now that my daughter is 8 years old. Not that being good and eager readers will solve every problem they encounter, but it certainly won't hurt.
YES on the readers! A kid who reads a lot tends to find a lot of school-related things easier.
....ditto, life related things. And not just kids but adults, too. Reading is important for everyone.
This is so true. I think reading as a skill spills over into all kinds of things (or it has for me!) Creativity, stress management, entertainment, discipline, empathy...
Today, I'm deeply thankful for a pretty good night's sleep. I have been struggling for a long time, and maybe have it figured out 🤞
Great reframing of your busy schedule!
Thankful for:
*a sister who is giving us her old car for my adult son who moved home.
*the same sister sent me a cute tshirt.
*the ability to cancel my class when we had a blizzard. Always build a flexible day into your syllabus!
*when I screwed up something on my calendar, it was actually helpful on a crazy busy day.
*my reluctant scholar passed his English class- he just needs to make it two more months and then can put high school behind him.
Thankful for getting a wake up call so that I can have a chance to improve my health as I go through mid life. My blood work showed that I am a candidate for pre diabetes. I’m now working on my nutrition and movement. I get a lot of tips from Kristen’s posts about these topics. Btw, I’m a reader from about 2008,I discovered her blog when I was on maternity leave, just don’t comment much.
Cheering you on! Good for you for being proactive at managing this.
Also thankful for a lighter storm, but really appreciated our school district releasing two hours early to get the elementary buses home before the higher winds hit.
Thankful for sick leave days for those sneezy foggy head times when work is too much. I remind myself that everyone earns sick leave days so if we're under the weather, we can stay home and rest because it's not nice to share illness.
So glad spring and greening are on the way even if it does bring on allergies.
Thankful for our kitties. Our 19 year old hangs with the 2 year old banshies and all is well 🙂
And very thankful for healthy, happy adults that our kids have grown into being that's what we always wanted for them.
The hospital where I work did away with sick time. Boo. Now if you get sick, the first 3 days come out of your PTO (AND you need a note from your doctor to return to work on Day 4), and if you're out longer than 3 days, short term disability kicks in (at 60% of your usual pay). I find this is in direct contradiction with their insistence that they offer "work life balance", but no one asked my opinion.
Sorry for the less-than-thankful comment. Sooooo thankful I am retiring soon.
Oh my goodness, that is a terrible policy change!
That is terrible! I'm on sick leave right now and I'm so thankful that isn't an issue. You'd think, especially after Covid, they'd care about people not spreading germs and taking time to recover.
For years, I didn’t have sick leave in academia. You would have to take a leave of absence for a surgery and recovery. Since there usually wasn’t someone to cover a class, I’d teach even if I felt like death warmed over! Later, when we did finally get sick leave, I would still teach because it was so hard to get someone else to cover and there was never that much room in the syllabus.
This week I am exceptionally grateful for making it home safely from Arizona to Minnesota. We took an extra day to come home due to ferocious winds and significant snow.
We were in the opposite direction. We had to leave Minnesota early so that we could be home in time for my husband to work.
Jody, I'm glad you made it home safely, too!
Did you and Jody S wave to one another as you crossed paths, coming and going?
No, but I waved to you and Kristin @ going country when I drove through New Mexico!
This week I am thankful for:
1. I was finally able to get my root canal done and most of the pain is gone. The doctor and her assistant were very patient as I have a hyper-sensitive mouth but they made sure I felt no pain at all. I was so, so anxious beforehand.
2. That I have a warm home to sleep in. It was bone-chillingly cold last night on my way home.
3. Spring will be here soon. I like winter, but I am ready for the warmer days and blooming things.
4. My supportive co-workers who took care of things when I had to leave early to get my tooth taken care of.
5. The Irish soda bread we had this week. It was absolutely delicious!
Thankful that I didn't actually fall on the icy puddle I slipped on yesterday. I wouldn't have gotten any style points for the moves I did trying to stay upright--but I did stay upright.
And even more thankful that spring is on the way and the ice will melt. (One of these days...)
am so sorry. falling is the worst. glad you didn't get hurt.
I’m glad that you were able to rebalance yourself even if it may have looked like a strange new dance.
I am glad that this level of busy is temporary for you. That certainly makes it easier to bear. This week I am thankful:
*that my son's recital was beautiful and that he was supported by many friends and faculty. It was so wonderful to meet many of the professors and friends I've heard about from the boys. It was especially nice to meet my eldest's girlfriend in person.
*for the daffodils and other spring signs.
*for my next-door neighbor (who lives at least a mile away!). We wouldn't be able to get away easily without her because she takes care of our chickens and cats.
*that a friend left several potluck leftovers in the fridge at church for us. Not having to cook made getting back into the swing of things after travel much easier for me.
*that my children were eager to get back into the swing of things. Homeschooling with students who can do things mostly independently is part of a different phase of my life I think.
*for the hot tea I'm drinking; I love Earl Grey. For those silly kitties outside. That my father can help somebody out this morning; he likes being helpful. That my youngest son is not on a blue soccer team for this, his last season of soccer. He's had a blue shirt for every single other season, but this time around, he's on red; he's a happy boy.
I only drink tea,no coffee. My friend sent me a wonderful Advent calendar tea collection from Twinnings and I discovered a few new varieties I just loved.
I really enjoy all the hot drinks I've tried. Not every single type of tea do I love, but most of them 🙂 What are your favorites? And coffee is my favorite probably, but I have to watch that I don't drink too much of it. And I like Postum-like drinks, too.
A friend just shared a bag of Lady Grey yesterday! It's like Earl Grey's cousin, or I guess wife!? It has bergamot but also lemon for a brighter flavor. I really liked it! She said not in stores in our area and she orders online. I think it was Twinings.
thankful for you. glad you got your rightful id and your grade. you work hard for whatever you have. grateful that my zoe got into 5 colleges. now we have to pick the right one for her. she goes back to her regular school on monday. she has been absent for four months. i pray it goes well and that she can graudate with her class in june. my son has a 96.4 gpa but did not get into any specialized school. i was grateful but sad. he is a star in his current school with 461 students. why would he want to be in a school with over 2000. he is a great kid and i am so lucky. both my kids are amazing and make my life worth living.
Yay for the schools for your Zoe!
I have never left a comment in the many years I have been lurking but I thought today was a good day to look at my blessings.
I was hit by a car Jan 22 while visiting my daughter and 7 grandchildren in Kelowna BC.
I spent 4 weeks laying in bed in Kelowna, then was medivaced to Toronto, my home.
Now I'm in rehab with a estimated departure date April 6.
1. I am grateful for the flowers, food and hundreds of cards I have received.
2. I am grateful for all the friends who are visiting me.
3. I am deeply appreciative for my daughter Aislinn who was with me every day in Kelowna, while managing 7 children and a 30 hours a week job.
4. My Toronto daughter stepped up when I returned to Toronto and is managing my care, and Meghan and Aislinn are working together so my return home will be seamless
5. I am so blessed to live in Canada. where we have universal health care
It is worth every penny I pay in taxes.
Thanks for the opportunity to reflect!
wishing you a full and speedy recovery. and thanks for posting. i hope you post again to tell us how you are doing.
I am walking and climbing stairs
I am making amazing progress because I was walking 100 kms a week before I was hit.
Rooting for your recovery. That is an amazing amount of walking and I’m not surprised it has helped you in your awful ordeal. Movement is everything as I’m finding out.
Thank goodness you're okay! I second your appreciation for universal healthcare!
Thank you, and yes walking is what saved me
Wow, Darlene, what a story--and thanks for sharing it with us. Best wishes to you on your continuing recovery, and please stick around for further comments.
Darlene, I empathize. So much more difficult when you're not at home. So glad that you're mending.
Oh my goodness, Darlene! I am so sorry to hear of the accident, but very glad that you are recovering now.
Darlene, wow, you've been through a lot. So glad you have many things to be thankful for. Glad you're here!
I am thankful that our St. Patrick's Day party was another success adventure and everyone arrived home safely. And my sister in law who had open heart surgery in January felt good enough to come. They took their time coming here, had a great time, and then drove straight home to avoid said storm. And they were glad they did as their area caught some of the snow and ice.
Thankful that I did hire out a cleaning woman who did the majority of the cleaning and I think that helped calm me a little for the party. Usually I am scrambling to clean and bake and get ready, but this year I left the cleaning to someone else. I did have to do the windows (they were embarrassingly dirty!!!) and I still have to wipe down the appliances, but she did a great job on every thing else. My husband said we should get her once a month to do the heavy duty work, and I'm thinking of it. He is assigned the bathroom and he doesn't do as good a job as she did. LOL
Thankful that the countdown is down to less than 20 working days before retirement. I am definitely getting more and more ready for it. Almost to single digits!!!!
Thankful that I am feeling stronger at the gym. I started a spin class in addition to the regular morning workouts and the first 2 weeks were tough. But I am feeling stronger and can now stand a little on the bike doing the exercises. Feels good. Now back to good eating after the festivities that I have enjoyed the past couple of weekends.
Thankful for new glasses that are helping me to see all things. My vision changed and I was having a little bit of a tough time, but I like these new lenses. And I upgraded the glare part so that helps with driving in the dark for sure. I got them thru my last insurance claim, so the cost was less than expected.
I appreciate your attitude towards being tired from work and how it's a privilege. I've also been really busy lately:
- helping my husband with the business...but lots of work means we're brining in money...a blessing
- Busy planning a graduation party for my oldest...
But it's a privilege to have her and that she's reached this milestone.
- Busy as we try to start a new weekly activity for the homeschool high schooler group...but it's an answer to prayer that my kids have friends.
- busy with general housekeeping and cooking...it's a joy to have our own place.
Thank you for helping me shift my mindset this morning!
I so enjoy reading everyone’s thankfuls! It’s lovely to get further glimpses into the lives of the “regulars” and also to learn what life is like for everyone who comments. I’ve been here for years also but don’t comment often. I’ve learned a lot here and felt solidarity and dare I say community here in a place of comfort for me. Thankful for everyone here!
Sue, I feel the same way and you said it so well.
Joining in the spirit of “reading for years, hardly ever commenting,” I am grateful for my family’s savings account and frugal habits as we face a job loss. Those things will help us float. I am also thankful that I had the opportunity to work part-time for a few years, even though that may need to come to an end soon.
I am also very grateful for The Frugal Girl and the daily uplift you bring me, Kristen!
Oh, I am sending you and yours a hug. That's a rough thing to navigate.
Your comments on your busy life right now reminded me of a good lesson I learned as a teen. When I joined the U.S. Army right out of highschool so I eventually could use the G.I. Bill for college, the most important lesson I learned was that I could put up with nearly anything if I knew it had an end. That's how I got thru 8 weeks of basic training in July in scorching South Carolina. It was both physically and mentally challenging, but I knew it wouldn't last forever. I think that idea is something everyone can use -- "this, too, shall pass."
I'm thankful ever day that I was able to retire. My parents, both heavy smokers who developed lung cancer, both died young at age 62. They never reached these years I'm enjoying now. I worked hard and steady, holding two jobs for most of my career. I earned a comfortable retirement. I'm grateful for each day.
I'm thankful Spring is here. I love a good winter, but I love the colors of Spring. I'm hoping the temps don't get too crazy high too soon. We are supposed to be near 90 in the next few days. I'm hoping that's just temporary.
I'm thankful I live in a community that has a wonderful senior center. I go there several days a week for exercise classes and have made new friends. In fact, I'm off to there soon. Have a great weekend.
I always think of it like running a marathon, it's hard right now but it won't be hard forever. I'm hoping to run a half-marathon at some point so I'll literally take that advice!
I saw a funny post online which said 'this too shall pass but can I get a *bleep* eta?'
I used to run half-marathons and marathons and I always said the part I loved most about running was finishing. I never really was one of those people who talked about runner's high but I loved the feeling of accomplishment at the end!
Today I am thankful that my son who graduated last May and has been looking for a job ever since accepted a full time job yesterday! It is not quite in his chosen field but it is a job. I am also thankful that I have a job with plenty of vacation days and that we can help him move to a new town 6 hours a way by April 6th without too much trouble. I will miss him but I am excited for his future.
Congratulations to your son - that shows a lot of fortitude!
Congratulations on the updated badge!
Today I am grateful for:
1. Sunshine. We really haven't had enough of it lately.
2. An eBay sale. I recently returned to selling after a long hiatus and I wasn't having much luck. Finally, a sale! Small, but it's a beginning!
3. This haircut. After years of forcing my hair into a bob, I now have a layered short cut that lets my hair do what it wants to do.
4. My ride-free pass. I'm going to use it today to ride the train to the library and the post office. I have this pass because I am a senior of a certain income level.
5. Everything bagels. I have been working my way through two bags of them, and I have enjoyed every one.
I am thankful for
- The job thy I started back in September. I feel like I’m starting st the bottom but I really love working with kids and my co-workers are all such nice people. I’m grateful to be in a place that I really like to go to every day.
- that my daughter got her permit. I say this begrudgingly because I am grateful but I realize that this is one more big change ahead!! But it’s good.
- for my strawberry starts. They are still alive in this heat and I’m excited!
- for my son. He is studying for his insurance license and he has put in countless hours of study, which is not the norm for him :). I’m proud of him.
- for the lack of instagram in my life at the moment. I gave it up for lent and I really see how much of a time suck it is!! Even when I delete the app during the day. Maybe it needs to just go from my life… I dunno.
- for my journal. I’ve started journal daily, mostly, for the last 6 months and it has helped me so much. Among other things I write what I’m grateful for and it changes my perspective daily.
Totally hear you on Instagram! It's uninstalled for me right now for the same reason.
This week I'm thankful:
- that the bad storm forecast for our area turned out to be just a major thunderstorm and not tornados
- that we had a snow fall Monday morning. It's unusual for us to get snow in the South and it was beautiful to see outside my office. It melted immediately so we got the beauty without any impacts on travel.
- that our weather has warmed up and will be back up into the mid-80s this weekend. It seems like we had all four seasons in one week since our temperatures have ranged from the 20s to 80s.
- that I picked up our grandson from daycare, and he spent a few hours hanging out with Nana and Papa.
- for the daffodils and irises blooming in my yard. Our grandson always wants to pick a flower to take home when he's leaving our house.
I'm planning to make a shirt that says:
Everything is awesome
and I am tired
because everything is awesome.
Everything is not awesome all the time, but man, I'm only tired because we have so much good in our lives.
This week I am thankful….
• My son’s annual check up this morning went great. He’s boring medically which is exactly the kind of boring I want my child to be.
• We have some fun plans this weekend – time with friends and time with family!
• Our puppy is recovering well from his neuter surgery last week. He’s as happy as always and is healing well.
• My work doesn’t have an issue with me working from home for two weeks to be home with the puppy.
GREEN!
WILDFLOWERS!
ORANGE BLOSSOMS!
NOT HOT YET!
I love spring around here. Can you tell?
Thankful for...
Every blooming thing! Violets especially, the smells!
My awesome kids. They made a schedule to visit my Mom while I'm busy on the farm. She gets anxious when I'm not in sight of the house.
My cousin who can fix anything. We tore apart my 4 yr old lawnmower and finally found the fuse and electrical harness that was the cause. We replaced it with heavy duty marine grade and it is purring. I have about 5 hours of riding lawnmower ahead of me before it starts raining tonight. Thankful for audio books and good ear protection.
I had a little pity party for myself yesterday, but I am feeling better today and ready to express my gratitude . . .
-that my latest scan showed no cancer or new blood clots. My doctor even started to talk about how this summer we can turn our attention to clearing up some of the side effects of three years of fighting cancer when I come off one of my meds.
-that there are jobs to which I can apply. It is easy to let the fear of not having income and health insurance grip me when I think of my current academic position expiring this summer, but I am reminding myself that there are jobs out there. And this is earlier in the job cycle than I got either of my last two positions. So maybe I shouldn't freak out yet.
-that my husband and children are healthy. This is always my go-to when I start in on a pity party.
-that our business seems to be doing well. My cancer journey gutted the business, so it makes me feel hopeful that even if I am unemployed come August we will have some money coming in.
-that today the mercury is on its way up. This cold snap reminded me too much of February. I'm ready for the "we had one week of spring before it got hot" Southern weather.
So happy to hear about your scan!
Amanda, yay to your good and hopeful list!
Amanda in Va,
If you can beat can, which you have done, you can also jump tall buildings with a single bound. You can do anything!
The right job is on its way to you at the exact right time. Everything is going to be good once more
Hang in there!
Beat "cancer," not "can."...
Autocorrect strikes again.
Congratulations on the good news scan! Wishing good luck as you apply for roles.
*On Monday, the cervical collar (from an accident in late January) came off my neck. Wow--freedom and no pain. I finally feel healed. So sweet.
*For nurses. So many kind ones after 11 days in hospital/rehab.
*The sun is shining, and I can walk outdoors.
*And, harking back a few days, I am grateful for my Vitamix, my large and small food processors and my air fryer.
Yay for no collar! Woohoo!
Elaine, yay to healing!
Today I'm thankful that it's my guy's final radiation treatment of 28. He has come through it with minimal side effects, and that he is dealing with the medication side effects ("manopause") without much complaint, even maintaining a sense of humor about it most of the time.
Thankful that he has a core group of friends that check in with him (and me!) regularly.
Thankful for my job, even though it's a new area I never intended to work in (NICU), but even more thankful that my self-imposed retirement date is creeping closer (hopefully less than 1 year), making the transition palatable.
Thankful for low census (standby) shifts. I was able to stay home last night on call instead of working, and since I wasn't called in, will have a productive day today (with adequate sleep!), instead of having just a short nap between meetings and the Bell ringing after radiation.
Thankful for books and puzzles. I'm an avid reader (my Goodreads challenge goal is 100 this year), and it's my mental escape/wind down almost every evening. I also have a 1000 piece jig-saw puzzle going almost all the time on the breakfast nook table. I pop a few pieces in while waiting for water to boil, or something to cook...any time I have just a few minutes. It takes me awhile to get them done, but it fills those random few minutes here and there.
Dawn, sending positive vibes to you and your guy!
For this amazing vacation with my father, niblings, and other relatives. My father wants to die broke[1] so he's paying for most everything.
For getting to know my niblings as adults and not the youngsters I used to know.
For spending an entire evening telling stories about the nibling's dad (my brother). He doesn't talk much about his past; now they have all sorts of dirt on him. I almost didn't have time to eat, I was laughing and talking so much.
For the hard parts of the trip, which were also unique and the most interesting. Seeing a paleo-anthro dig was 100% worth the 100F heat, the dust, the lack of ac, and the bugs. Dear ghu the bugs.
That the hard part is over and we're now in a super luxurious "camp", thanks to the flood-related upgrade. I'm enjoying clean sheets, cool nights, and clean laundry. Also the lower bug level.
That my elderly father can still make trips such as these.
[1] I told him his goal is too modest. I think his last check should bounce.
LMAO - I love his last check should bounce. I just might tell my dad that one. I would have to agree with him that it would not be to a small business - likely wouldn't since we pay cash at small businesses. Locally owned or not.
Being reminded to see the glass half full instead of half empty is an encouragement!
This week, I'm thankful ...
- We have a few days of warmer weather in the 60s!
Compared to 30s or 40s, that's a blessing.
- For bodies that heal themselves. Thank God! My family have been going through a cold/ flu spell for the last couple weeks. I know eventually we'll get better.
- For the insight to see when I'm wrong and ask for forgiveness.
- For kind people in our church, school, neighborhood and community.
They're such a blessing!
- For books and the library. My whole family and I have really loved reading lately.
Thankful for the past 3 months with my son home. He is moving out tomorrow to start a new job. I have been grateful to enjoy a window of time with him at home again, and to get to know him as an adult.
Thankful my friend found a job .... that my visit to the dermatologist today revealed that my skin is doing well and I don't have to go again (barring any new issues) for a whole year. Grateful to spend time with a different friend yesterday. And thankful that the icky weather took a break, and we have sunshine today.
I am thankful got my safe and cozy home.
I am so thankful for my husband and son.
I am thankful that we are able to be retired and be comfortable, that our frugal ways served us well and that we still know how to live well on less and enjoy it.
It’s tough times out there..I am so thankful for all the small beauties and joys of life:birdsong,sunrises and sunsets, my swimming pool,(it is getting hot enough in Phoenix to swim this week!!!) my food pantry that is full for our future, my skills as a homemaker, books, music,friends., my faith.
1. My pal came over and fixed the remaining part of the injured live oak tree. He cut the jagged part of the trunk even with the rest and applied pruning paint to the wound. Hopefully this will save my tree. His fee was reasonable to the point of being fairly cheap.
2. Neighbor came by and hauled off the rest of the fire wood. They have free wood and I avoided having to pay a big fat dumping fee at the landfill. Win-win situation!
3. Ordered and received a nice refurbished laptop computer for $85. Now I can surf the web from my bedroom -- or anywhere else in my house. Got it in 2 days. Thank you Fedex!
4. Snuggles found a hole in wood fence and escaped, but came right back to me when I called him. My pal repaired said hole, so Snuggy can go back outside and play.
5. Treated my pal to lunch and I got a super cheap delicious 😋 Italian dinner from the senior menu. But the biggest treat for me is that I had company while I ate...I usually have to eat alone.
One more thankful: weather was great so tonight I got to sit out on the patio while Snuggy happily and quietly chomped on his bone in the grass nearby. When it got too dark to see the book, I just picked up my TracFone and read the blog. Thankful for lighted screens!
It's a little thing, but my old dog had a great check-up today after her second surgery for tumors inside her eyelids. These were tiny but had to come out because of where they were. They recurred scary fast after her first surgery and I was very worried about this check-up, but she's healed up perfectly. She is such a sweet, patient dog and sits still for whatever the eye specialist has to do with her.
Also thankful for the drifts of wild violets across our back yard. They were my dad's favorite flower and it feels like he's there in spirit when they bloom.
that is not a little thing. that is a huge deal. hope your fur baby continues to make a great recovery.
I always feel uplifted after reading all these posts. Today I am thankful for
- The heat dome over the Bay Area is supposed to move on Friday night. It hasn't been too awful as we have juggled timing of open windows, shades down, fans on, etc. I'm also thankful the pup is comfortable positioned in front of one of the fans lol.
- That our 9 year old granddaughter wants one week of her summer plans to be "Nana & Papa camp! We moved near the grandkids three years ago to foster closer relationships and build memories. I'm thankful it is working out.
- That I've been getting in long dog-free walks to get more exercise and using them as excuses to go to the library or corner market as needed.
- That Hubby and I together are learning the details of our new car's technology and operation. Between the 2 of us and YouTube we are slowly getting there.
My thankfuls today:
1. Spring Break-- it was badly needed
2. Naps--This feels like such a luxury, but they have been needed.
3. New clothes--My wardrobe needed a refresh. Didn't find stuff second hand, but didn't expect to where I live. My five new shirts were reasonably priced, but all in blues. Not sure if this is good or not, but that is what was available, and I do like blue.
4. Good books. Reading is my favourite hobby, but for the last couple of months I haven't managed much reading time because I would just fall asleep. I've read two books this week, one of which was borrowed and one I found in the local bookswap for a donation bin.
5. Quiet--Life has felt loud recently.